A small business owner recently expressed her dismay after discovering that her original card designs were being sold on the online retailer Temu without her consent. Anwen Roberts, the owner of Draenog, a design company based in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, found identical versions of her Welsh-language products listed on the site, highlighting a growing concern about intellectual property violations impacting small businesses.
Temu, which operates as a marketplace for third-party sellers and is owned by Chinese company PDD Holdings—valued at $150 billion—has taken action by removing the infringing products from its platform. The company stated that it acted swiftly upon receiving reports of potential copyright infringements and emphasized its commitment to protecting brand and artist rights.
Roberts described the experience as a “massive shock” and detailed how distressing it was to see her hard work exploited for profit. She noted that the designs were nearly identical, including nuances like the arrangement of text and illustrations. For instance, one card featured hedgehogs with the Welsh phrase nadolig llawen mam a dad (“merry Christmas mum and dad”), which closely mirrored her own design.
“It breaks your heart to know someone has used your work without permission,” Roberts remarked, underscoring the emotional toll such violations take on small creators.
The issue of copyright infringement is not isolated. According to research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), one in five small enterprises report having their work copied when using major online platforms. This reality often leaves entrepreneurs feeling powerless in disputes with larger corporations.
Roberts highlighted the frustrating burden placed on small business owners to monitor potential infringements while managing their own operations. She called for better protective measures, noting that navigating these challenges requires significant time and effort.
The UK government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) acknowledges the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights. It collaborates with e-commerce platforms to address these concerns effectively and encourages business owners to utilize reporting tools available on these sites.
As Temu continues its efforts to enhance intellectual property protections, including rapid resolution of takedown requests, the conversation around safeguarding creators' rights remains critical.
Moving forward, it is essential for both businesses and consumers to advocate for stronger protections against copyright violations—ensuring that creativity is respected in an increasingly digital marketplace.
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